catacomb

American  

[kat-uh-kohm] / ˈkæt əˌkoʊm /

noun

1. Usually catacombs. an underground cemetery, especially one consisting of tunnels and rooms with recesses dug out for coffins and tombs.

2. the Catacombs, the subterranean burial chambers of the early Christians in and near Rome, Italy.

3. an underground passageway, especially one full of twists and turns.

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catacomb British  

/ -ˌkuːm, ˈkætəˌkəʊm /

noun

1. (usually plural) an underground burial place, esp the galleries at Rome, consisting of tunnels with vaults or niches leading off them for tombs

2. a series of interconnected underground tunnels or caves

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Other Word Forms

• catacumbal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of catacomb

First recorded before 900; Middle English catacombe, Old English catacumbe, from Late Latin catacumbās (accusative plural); of disputed origin; perhaps from unattested Greek katakýmbās, equivalent to kata- + kýmbās, accusative plural of kýmbē “hollow, cup”; see origin at cata-

Explanation

Use the noun catacomb to talk about an old underground cemetery. The most famous catacombs were built by the ancient Romans. You're most likely to come across this word in its plural form, catacombs, and it's almost always used in the context of the ancient Roman empire. A catacomb is shaped like a long tunnel, with space for bodies to be buried, often in tombs. The root word is the Late Latin catacumbae, which refers to one specific catacomb under the Appian Way in ancient Rome, in which the Biblical apostles Peter and Paul are said to be buried.

Example Sentences

The playa desert seems to extend all the way to Egypt when you see the Catacomb of Veils by Dan Sullivan, a pair of enormous pyramids.

From The Guardian • Sep. 1, 2016

It was the work of a moment to force the door of the vineyard and they soon reached the entrance to the Catacomb.

From Valeria The Martyr of the Catacombs by Withrow, William Henry

Just then, not far from the Catacomb avenue, Roquairol and Rabette came to meet him.

From Titan: A Romance Vol. II (of 2) by Jean Paul

Peter and Paul, which contains the sarcophagus brought from the Catacomb near S. Sebastiano in 257, and which the Roman Catholic Church has always revered as that of St. Peter.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

The Catacomb of St Agnese is entered from a vineyard about a quarter of a mile beyond the church.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.